How to Train a Pit Bull Puppy to be Nice

When a puppy is isolated in their first 18 weeks, their life experiences are limited. After 18 weeks, anything outside of their previous experience is met with suspicion and makes the dog anxious. When a fearful dog is pressed further (such as the thing they are afraid of doesn't go away) the dog may then become defensive and bite as a means of protecting themselves. The reverse of this is exposing the pup in a controlled and positive way to as many different situations, people, sights, and sounds as possible while the pup's mind is still 'plastic' and able to register such things as normal and nothing to be alarmed about.

Puppies are geared to rapid learning up until 12 weeks of age. After this, they can still learn and adapt up to 18 weeks of age, but the process is not as quick. After 18 weeks, it takes intensive retraining to make up for a lack of early experience. It is therefore vital that as soon as the breeder is able to handle the pups without upsetting the mother, that they start to do so. This is continued right through rehoming, with the new owner taking on the responsibility for exposing the pup to new things.

It is vital the puppy enjoys the new experience or encounter, otherwise they may learn to be fearful of it.
This means when socializing the puppy with children, choose kids that are used to dogs and know how to pet a puppy gently. Do not mix the puppy with kids who are frightened of dogs and liable to squeal or scream when even an amiable puppy comes ambling towards them. Likewise, it might be necessary to introduce a noisy object (such as a vacuum cleaner) at a distance first, while praising the puppy when they are calm or playing a game to distract pup from the noise.

Time passes quickly so be organized and draw up a schedule of the new experiences you want to expose the puppy to. Think of places to visit where the puppy will encounter a wide range of people. Although the pup maybe too young to go on the floor, you can cradle pup in your arms. Places to consider visiting include standing outside a pet store (you're almost guaranteed a steady stream of dog lovers who want to pet your pup) and outside a school when the kids come out. Keep a supply of treats handy and have those strangers give the pup a treat so as to help the pup understand that people don't need to be viewed with suspicion.

Using the above principles of positive exposure, have the puppy encounter several new things a day. You want them to experience noisy things (cars, buses, vacuum, hairdryer, washing machine etc.), different ages and colors of people with their different pitched voices and accents, men, women, and children, other species of animals such as horses, cats, and cattle, different places such as schools, stores, and the park. You may even want to have the puppy walk on different surfaces (pebbles, gravel, concrete, wood, laminate floor, linoleum) as even this can be anxiety-provoking in an adult that has not encountered them before.

Pit Bull are a strong-minded breed and do best when they have a strong leader to follow. This doesn't mean dominating the dog (see 'Dos and Don'ts') but instead teaching the dog to listen to you by using reward-based training methods. When the puppy learns to take commands from you, they feel reassured, are able to relax and be nice. Positive training also helps build the dog's self-confidence, which again reduces anxiety and helps them behave well around other people.

This is as it sounds and is a training method where the dog is rewarded when they do well. For a puppy, this might be praise and a treat when they are relaxed while a child strokes them. For an adult it might be teaching an advanced trick, and praising the dog and giving a treat when they master each step of the trick. The timing of giving the treat is important. You should give a verbal marker (such as saying "Yes" in a cheery voice) or use a clicker, at the exact moment the dog does what's wanted. Then give the praise or reward immediately after that.

When you have a well-mannered puppy then they will grow into an adult that is reliable and nice in a variety of strange situations. Start by teaching pup to be nice when they encounter strangers. Use the reward-based method by praising the pup when they are relaxed, perhaps gently wagging their tail, when greeted by a stranger. This builds positive associations that lead to good behavior in the adult.

A nice Pit Bull is well-mannered and under control at all times. This means having them obedience trained. You can start reward-based training with a pup, by doing things such as saying "Come" when the pup happens to run towards you, then reward them when they arrive. Likewise, start teaching 'sit' and 'look' from an early age. Both of these commands empower you to control the dog if they're starting to get over-excited or out of control.

A common problem is that puppies tend to get over-excited and start mouthing or play biting. It's important to nip this in the bud so that they learn to play nice. If during a game the puppy gets carried away, stop the game immediately and withdraw attention. Only resume the game when puppy is calm. If necessary, play in 15 second bursts with a brief pause for pup to calm down. This teaches the pup self-control, which is part-way to being nice.

Older training methods are centered on dominating the dog and exerting your authority. They may use methods such as the alpha role or physical punishment in order to show the dog who's boss. However, these methods are now known to do more harm than good. While the dog may outwardly appear obedient to that master, inwardly they are in a heightened state of fear arousal. Should the dog then encounter something unpleasant, say a child that pulls their ear, then they become more likely to attack, not less.

As soon as your Pit Bull puppy comes home, start teaching bite inhibition. Then the puppy learns human skin is fragile and that teeth have no place on it. When a pup grows up inhibited about placing teeth on skin, this is what will protect that child who pulls the dog's ear.

It's crucial the pup learns to listen to you and automatically obeys when asked to do something. Vital commands that every Pit Bull should know include 'sit', 'stay', 'down', 'look', and 'come'.

Train for a few minutes several times a day, and set this as a pattern for life. Even once the pup has mastered basic commands, keep going with more advanced ones or having the pup 'stay' for longer, so listening and learning become a way of life.

Avoid putting the dog in stressful situations that are out of their control. This can result in anxiety, which will test the dog's ability to be nice.